Heaven Made by SaraLynn Hoyt Read Free Book Online Page B

if he could find the lad. He knew the boy
was about because fresh clothes were laid out from time to time and his shoes
were polished on regular basis. No time to think about such mundane matters
now, Ford thought as headed for the breakfast room, eager to see Mrs. Tremaine
again. He stepped through the doorway and caught his breath in surprise. Sabrina
was even more stunning than he had remembered. And when she lifted her enormous
blue eyes to his, his breath caught in his throat and his heartbeat sped
unreasonably. Not to mention the uncomfortable tightening of his trousers. He
took his seat quickly, hoping his face didn’t give his lascivious thoughts
away.
    Maybe hiring Mrs. Tremaine wasn’t as brilliant a plan as he
had first imagined.
     

 
    Chapter Four
     
     
     
    "Good morning, Mrs. Tremaine," Ford said in an
oddly strained voice. "I hope you slept well?"
    Sabrina blushed, recalling how Mr. Northcliffe had visited
her rooms last night, and found her in her dressing gown. She wanted to be
angry with him for being so thoughtless, but it was impossible to muster that
emotion for the man when he was simply the most generous person she had ever
encountered. Ford Northcliffe appeared to be kind, sympathetic, intelligent, handsome
and rich. Why in the world wasn’t the man married? He must have a flaw much
worse than anything she could imagine.
    "Good morning, Mr. Northcliffe," she responded
politely. "I slept very well, thank you. We—I haven’t had a decent
mattress in months." Sabrina desperately hoped Ford hadn’t noticed her
minor slip of the tongue.
    "Good, good," Ford said, with a distracted air. He
was obviously a man who had many things on his mind. "Well, I suppose we
should discuss your position and the duties I’ll expect you to perform."
    Sabrina could have sworn that Ford blushed when he said
those last few words. She sincerely hoped he wasn’t thinking the same
distressingly intimate thoughts that had been plaguing her since she had first
encountered the ridiculously attractive man. Of course he wasn’t, she chided
herself. I must quit behaving like a smitten schoolgirl. I am here to work, and
nothing else. Sitting up straighter, Sabrina regained some of her scattered
composure.
    "Yes, that would be most beneficial. Although I think I
have a general idea of what your needs will be." This time it was Sabrina
who blushed. Why did everything they said seem to have a double entendre? It
was quite unsettling. "What I meant to say, is that I’ll be performing the
duties that a wife might provide—" Oh, this was just awful, Sabrina
thought as her face and neck burned with the heat of her embarrassment. Why was
this so difficult?
    Ford cleared his throat and paused to run a finger around
his collar. He looked even more uncomfortable than she felt. If only he weren’t
so handsome, and kind. If only he had some flaw she could focus on, then she
would be able to approach her situation from a more businesslike position.
    "For instance; accepting invitations, general
correspondence, planning dinner parties, and making sure the household is run
properly." Sabrina could only hope that Ford’s thoughts had not turned in
the same direction as hers. "Of course the final say regarding these
details would be yours."
    "Yes, I believe that is what I had in mind." Ford
attempted composure as he considered her. "I don’t think it would be
improper, if you agree."
    "As long as I don’t actually attend the parties and
dinners, it should be quite acceptable." Sabrina really had no idea what
was ‘proper’ in this sort of circumstance. She doubted anyone did. This sort of
arrangement wasn’t exactly an everyday occurrence.
    "That sounds fine," Ford said, looking anything
but comfortable with the arrangement. "You should start with my
correspondence. I’m afraid I’ve been quite delinquent in responding to all the
various social affairs I’m invited to. And of course, you’ll have full
supervision of the household